Intra-Islam Seminar: Islam is Under Attack,Can Muslims Unite?

Baabul Ilm Education Society of BC organized a curious and unique in nature seminar on a very sweltering topic, Islam is Under Attack: Can Muslims Unite? The seminar was held at the Conference Centre of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey campus on July 07, 2018. In this one in kind seminar, scholars from all the major sects of Islam made very noteworthy and thought-provoking recommendations. The attendance (60 plus), like always was not according to the expectations of the organizers, given the importance of the topic and the stature of the speakers. Some of the speakers were especially flown in from outside of Vancouver. Dr. Mohammad Akbar in his opening remarks highlighted the importance of the topic and why Baabul Ilm Education Society thought it necessary to have a discussion on such an antagonistic issue: bring various sects of Islam on one table for discussion. He mentioned that many friend and well-wishers advised not to get involved in such a potentially quarrelsome subject. It was feared that it could be difficult to control the sentiments that each sect’s followers hold against the other sect. But, as Dr. Akbar mentioned, the very idea of holding such a discussion was to probe the reasons and explore the grounds on which this animosity is erected. Dr. Akbar asked, why we want to slit each other’s throats in the name of those great personalities of Islam who did not fight with each other, even if it were for the sake of the religion. In fact, for the sake of argument, if they were not friends with each other, at least they considered each other as respected acquaintances. If there were a disagreement among these great personalities on some issues, they agreed to disagree in most civilized, respectful and polite manner. Why can’t we, Muslims, educated and sensible human being follow our great heroes in this regard and try to live in harmony and create an environment of tolerance and at least agree to disagree in a decent manner. Dr. Akbar also enlightened the audience about the other activities that Baabul Ilm Education Society carries out throughout the year. He specifically mentioned about the forthcoming 6th annual Baabul Ilm Scholarship Program. He mentioned that this program is open for all Muslim youth without any discrimination on the basis of cast, sect, clan, or language. Dr. Syed Nasir Zaidi in his thought provoking talk highlighted number of areas where more work is needed to be done to bring the Muslims together. He quoted number of Quaranic verses that highlight the importance of unity and brotherhood among Muslims. He said that according to the Quaranic teachings disputes among Muslims on petty issues can cause two problems. One the Ummah will be weak and fragmented and as a result become vulnerable. Others will find it easier to target the religion and tarnish the true spirit of Islam and the religion of God. Secondly, Muslims will lose their dignity and respect among various nations and religion of the world. He mentioned that no further elaboration of these verses of Quran are required. The plight of the Muslims all over the world and the bad name, the tarnished image that we have earned for our religion speaks for itself. Is- lam has never been threatened from outside as much as it is threatened and damaged from within itself. Dr. Zaidi said that Quaran clearly distinguishes between dispute and difference of opinion. He mentioned that due to our personal vested interest we hold different opinion about certain facts although we know what is right and what is wrong. According to the Quran this type of behaviour will cause all sorts of issues and Ummah may end up in a dire estate. Therefore we have to rise above our selfvested interests and aspire for a much greater objective that is glory of our religion. According to Dr. Zaidi most of the issues that create rift among various sects of Islam, in fact these various sects of Islam themselves are a creation of vested inters, mostly governments in so-called Islamic countries. Muslims as nation need to understand and recognize this root cause of disputes among different sects of Islam. He mentioned that the first thing that we have to do is to stop using abusive language against each other and try to behave in more civilized manner. Other speakers also expanded their discussion on similar line. Mufti Mohammad Shujaat Ali Nadwi in his speech gave solid and concrete recommendations regarding how the Ummah can be united. He started his talk by listing three reasons of why Islam is under attack. One, frail beliefs and weak fragile faith in God and teachings of Islam. Second, weak character and ignorance of true values of Islam. Thirdly, fragmentation on the basis of sects which in turn are based on petty differences. He recommended that we need to reform ourselves in three arrears. One on personal basis, we need to adopt certain attitudes. For example, we need to respect each other’s praiseworthy personalities. It is impossible to come close to each other while smearing at the people. Second area where reforms are needed is on religious basis. The very meaning of the word Islam is to enhance understanding and knowledge. Reduce disagreements and bring forth and focus more common ground. Finally, all such material, print or electronic, that fans hatred and fuels animosities should be vanned by all sects. He recommended that scholars and leaders of all the sects should be invited to discuss and propagate common grounds among various sects of Islam. Mufti Shujaath Ali concluded by saying that there are two types of people who can bring people together or create differences among people. One is politicians and other is religious scholars and leaders. They have to come forward and play their due role in bringing the Ummah together. Prof. Badiuddin Soharwardi in his keynote address made number of recommendations on the topic. He started his talking by explaining what is meant by yalghar (attack) and mutahid (unite). He mentioned that difference among ourselves is weakening our ability to tackle with the attack from outside. All difference are not bad. Differences of opinion is natural and good for any society to evolve. He mentioned that there used to be differences of opinion even in the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). But we have to be cautious about the difference that can cause enmities among ourselves. Prof. Soharwadi said that the main problem with our religion these days are the self-styled alims and muftis that have very little understanding of the teaching of Islam and Quran and yet they impose themselves as the leaders and the only true preachers of Islam. They are not even capable of doing the right translation of the verses of Quran. He cited couple of examples in which he was presented with a translation of the verses of Quran by a non-Muslim who was asking for the explanation of a Quran verse in view of the translation. But the translation was completely ignorant of the context the verse was referring to. Mr. Soharwardi recommended that when we find any speaker from the pulpit is saying divisive things or insulting great personalities of Islam we should immediately stand up and stop him. If this practice is exercised couple of times these types of Ilims will either disappear or start behaving in a better way. Prof. Soharwadi recommended that the first thing that need to be done is to stop awarding Kufr and Shirk fatwas to each other. This type of behaviour flares up sentiments and the outcome is evident, that Muslims are slitting each other’s throats. It is an irony that more Muslims are killed by Muslim than by non-Muslims, he concluded. In the end a very heated but informative question and answer session ensued that lasted for about an hour. In this session audience asked all kinds of questions and made comments. While the speakers gave very detailed but precise and enlightening replies. The event concluded with some refreshments served in the end.